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Letter and Revelation to Harvey Whitlock, 16 November 1835

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Letter and Revelation to Harvey Whitlock, 16 November 1835

Source Note

JS, Letter and Revelation, , Geauga Co., OH, to , 16 Nov. 1835. Featured version copied [ca. 16 Nov. 1835] in JS, Journal, 1835–1836, pp. 42–44; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, Journal, 1835–1836.

Historical Introduction

During fall 1835, JS received a contrite letter from , who had become estranged from the sometime during the previous two years. Though little is known about the circumstances surrounding his separation, he evidently had a change of heart during the latter part of 1835, which prompted him to write to JS. In a 28 September letter, he appealed to JS to let him know if he was still “within the reach of mercy” and requested that JS “enquire at the hand of the Lord in my behalf.” Penitently, he told JS, “I am willing to receive any chastisement that the Lord sees I deserve.” On 16 November, JS responded to Whitlock’s entreaty and informed him that he had inquired of God and received a revelation that Whitlock should “speedily” return from to , Ohio. If he continued to heed JS’s counsel, Whitlock was told, he would be “restored unto his former state.”
Prior to his estrangement, had been a successful missionary, talented preacher, and prominent member of the branch of the church. He settled in , Missouri, following a summer 1831 mission to “regions west.” Whitlock regularly participated in council meetings, but after his name is mentioned in minutes of an 11 September 1833 meeting, he essentially disappears from the historical record for the next two years. Whitlock’s 28 September 1835 letter to JS offers only cryptic clues as to what might have caused him to distance himself from the church. In the letter, Whitlock obliquely mentions his “original difficulties with the church” and indicates that he was “charged with things” he was “not guilty of.”
JS’s response to ’s appeal offers insight into JS’s personality and leadership style. Though JS condemned members of the church community who openly challenged the laws of God or questioned his authority, he quickly welcomed back those who admitted their faults and made restitution. After receiving JS’s letter, Whitlock promptly obeyed the admonition to return to . During a 30 January 1836 conference of the presidency of the church, Whitlock was officially restored to full fellowship.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Harvey Whitlock, 28 Sept. 1835.

  2. [2]

    The original letter is no longer extant, but a copy of the text was inserted into JS’s 16 November journal entry by his scribe, Warren Parrish. (JS, Journal, 16 Nov. 1835.)

  3. [3]

    In early June 1831, Whitlock was ordained to the office of high priest and soon began proselytizing. As he preached throughout Ohio and Illinois, his sermons made a distinct impression on several early converts, including William E. McLellin and Joel Johnson. (Revelation, 6 June 1831 [D&C 52]; McLellin, Journal, 6–7; Johnson, Autobiographical Sketch, 8.)

    McLellin, William E. Journal, 18 July–20 Nov. 1831. William E. McLellin, Papers, 1831–1836, 1877–1878. CHL. MS 13538, box 1, fd. 1. Also available as Jan Shipps and John W. Welch, eds., The Journals of William E. McLellin, 1831–1836 (Provo, UT: BYU Studies; Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1994).

    Johnson, Joel H. Autobiographical Sketch, 1879. Typescript. CHL. MS 12931.

  4. [4]

    Hancock, Autobiography, 92; Minute Book 2, 2 Aug. 1831 and 11 Sept. 1833; Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 28 Jan. 1832.

    Hancock, Levi. Autobiography, ca. 1854. Photocopy. CHL. MS 8174.

  5. [5]

    Letter from Harvey Whitlock, 28 Sept. 1835.

  6. [6]

    Minutes, 30 Jan. 1836.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter and Revelation to Harvey Whitlock, 16 November 1835 Journal, 1835–1836 History, 1834–1836 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”
him up as out of deep mire, and he shall be exalted upon the high places, and shall be counted worthy to stand ammong princes, and shall yet be made a polished shaft in my quiver, of bringing down the strong holds of wickedness, among those who set themselves up on high, that they may take council against me, and against ones in the last days.
Therefore let him prepare himself speedily and come unto you; even to and inasmuch as he shall harken unto all your council from henceforth he shall be restored unto his former state, and shall be saved unto the uttermost, even as the Lord your God liveth Amen.
Thus you see my dear the willingness of our heavenly Father to forgive sins and restore to favour all those who are willing to humble themselves before him, and confess their sins and forsake them, and return to him with full purpose of heart (acting no hypocrisy) to serve him to the end.
Marvle not that the Lord has condescended to speak from the heavens and give you instructions whereby you may learn your duty, he has heard your prayers, and witnessed your humility; and holds forth the hand of paternal affection, for your return; the angels rejoice over you, while the saints are willing to recieve you again into fellowship.
I hope on the rec[e]ipt of this, you will not loose any no time in coming to [p. 43]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter and Revelation to Harvey Whitlock, 16 November 1835
ID #
283
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:60–62
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren Parrish

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 119 [2 Nephi 31:13].

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